Parent Issues

Hundreds of teachers retire mid-year

As 1,600 primary and post primary teachers retire in February, managers and unions have assured parents that students will not be without teachers.

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Better Basics Seminar

The Better Basic programme is completely free to schools and involves schools and community working together to improve Reading and Maths.

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Parents fight to save small schools

Parents are turning out to meetings and protests around the country to demonstrate their support for the INTO stance on small rural schools.

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No need to queue, says Principal

Parents queued overnight to secure places for their daughters in Presentation School, Tralee, the town’s only all-girls secondary school.

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Parents in serious trouble over children’s truancy

More than 180 parents were brought to court last year for failing to send their children to school and nine of these were given a prison sentence.

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TG4 aims to make Irish “sexy”

More than 50,000 people have taken part in the filming of a new reality show, which aims to get English-speaking communities talking Irish daily.

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Hooked on the internet

A groundbreaking discovery has led scientists to believe that being hooked on a behaviour can be just as physically damaging as addiction to drugs.

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Points for third level courses expected to rise

Career experts expect a marked increase in points this year for entry to third-level colleges, especially in science, technology, agriculture…

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Children need a daily routine to succeed

Children who grow up without a daily routine of regular bedtimes and family meals are likely to achieve poorer grades in school, a UK report warns.

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Private schools to undergo audit on how they spend fees

Minister Ruairí Quinn has ordered an analysis of the way in which private schools spend the €120 million they receive annually in fees from parents.

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Some facts and figures about private schools

The 56 fee-paying schools in the state have two main forms of income - fees received annually from parents and support from state for teacher salaries.

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Scrutiny may herald change for private schools

Many private schools resent the way they are being “targeted” and say their schools have been built up courtesy of donations and at little cost to state.

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Minor Works Grant terminated

The Department of Education is to discontinue the Minor Works Grant, used by schools to carry out small repairs such as fixing roofs, replacing windows.

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Minister in interview with Dr Tony Hall (1)

Dr Hall asks Minister Quinn some pertinent questions on patronage of schools and learning and assessment in pre-school and primary education.

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Parents to sue over “informal” teaching of religion

A couple living in Co. Wicklow intends to take a constitutional challenge against the national school in Aughrim previously attended by their child.

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Toolkit to help manage chronic health conditions

A new resource, developed by four charities to help support students with chronic health conditions, will arrive in all schools by end of September.

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Money problems affect parents across the board

A survey published by National Parents Council Primary finds that parents fear their children will suffer discrimination if voluntary contribution is not paid.

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TCD launches new research on nine-year olds

The ESRI/TCD study reveals that Ireland’s children want most of all “to be healthy, to get a good job, and to stay close to friends and family”.

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Report calls for new method of admission to third level

The Hyland Report, published on September 7, maintains that the points system is damaging 2nd level education and there is urgent need for change.

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Money website re-launched

An online nationwide survey, carried out in August 2011 on behalf of NALA and EBS, shows that two-thirds of Irish people struggle with money matters.

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